Alexander Stein makes a good point about the way Mitchell has not been discussed
at all, when such discussion was the main point of my original message.

As for the rest of his flame message, I think it proves my points about the
propensity of some in the analytic world to attack those who criticize
psychoanalysis. misrepresent them, and use ad hominen arguments as part of those
attacks.

Howard D. Eisman, Ph.D.

Alexander Stein wrote:

> An impressive barrage of trenchant and intelligently written messages have
> recently been posted in an attempt to fathom, and denounce (appropriately I
> believe), Dr. Eisman's narrow-minded views on the practice of
> psychoanalysis, women, social workers, and certain analytic institutes and
> their methodologies for accepting and training candidates.  Certainly,
> encountering such blatant prejudice will cause one's back hairs to bristle
> and a passionate rally against such philistinism is natural, if not
> admirable.  Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that such reasoned and measured
> rebuttals will have much effect on broadening Eisman's stated views, which,
> while delivered in a pseudo-intellectualized package, appears, upon
> reflection, to be shot from somplace closer to his hip.  We can speculate
> about the genetic roots of Eisman's prejudice and counter his views until
> the cows come home, but .....
>
> Personally, and particularly as a very recent subscriber to this list, I'm
> disappointed to see how quickly the discussion thread shifted -- and has
> remained refocused -- away from its starting point -- a valediction and
> appreciation of Stephen Mitchell's contributions to psychoanalytic theory
> and practice.  I wonder why it appears to be more compelling to engage in
> intellectual battle with a sophomoric bigot than to explore an important and
> vital presence, tragically truncated?  Might Eisman be serving as a ready
> target on whom the e-group can re-direct its collective anguish rather than
> confront the reality of such a profound loss?
>
> Alexander Stein, M.S.Sc. Psy.A.
> 24 East 12th Street
> New York, New York  10003
> 212.539.3769
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